A few weeks ago, we shared with you Craig Russell’s check list for spring maintenance for the interior of your home. Although his list is not exhaustive, it is a thought starter and meant as a tool to help keep you on track for those home maintenance projects that will just get away from you over time. Now that you’ve had the time to tackle your list of interior maintenance, it’s time to head to the great outdoors. Don’t let the size of this list intimidate you. Instead, your first step is to merely take a nice, leisurely walk around the outside of your home, looking at the ground around your home, the structure itself, and then important elements like driveway, decks/patios and roof. Once you get into the habit of using this checklist, you’ll be come that much more familiar with your house. This way, when something is wrong, you’ll see it right away and can either take care of it or call in the appropriate professionals.

House

Start by looking directly at your house. A great first step is getting those gutters cleaned. You might want to consider gutter guards at some point, which will add another layer of protection in keeping water away from your house. Give your home a visual inspection, paying specific attention to your roof and foundation. You’re looking for loose shingles and gutters and unusual cracks. Finding these issues early can save you a big headache later. Windows and doors need to be assessed too, since theses are potential entry points for wind and water.

Yard

Next, look for branches or any type of plant/tree growth that is too close to your house too. As we get ready for mosquito season, look for any area of standing water as well. Pooling of water any where near your house can also suggest an issue with grading. If you haven’t yet, it’s time to turn on your outside water and inspect your outdoor faucets. If they weren’t winterized correctly, leaks could emerge now.

Structures & Driveways

Finally, take a look at any outdoor structures and your driveway. Check your deck, porch, and railings for water stains, warping and loose or rusty nails. Keeping up with these small repairs can save you a big project later. After repairs have been made, consider resealing any woodwork. Walk around your driveway and patio, looking for cracks that may have emerged over the winter.

Good habits when it comes to home maintenance will pay dividends in the end. These projects are much easier to keep up with when they are a part of your regular routine and often can stop small problems from developing into large ones.

Craig Russell, the founder and CEO of Cincinnati-based custom home building and contracting firm, The English Contractor and Remodeling Services, is the focus of a new home improvement show. The six-episode, unscripted show starts on Saturday, May 23rd at 7am and will air for six consecutive weeks on Destination America. Each episode features one of The English Contractor’s custom remodeling projects, in partnership with Signature Hardware.

Craig Russell made his television premiere during the production of HGTV’s Urban Oasis 2018. As the general contractor for the show’s renovation of a home in Cincinnat’s Oakley neighborhood, Russell found himself spending a fair amount of time in front of the camera, where his skill as a builder and natural teacher was captured for the small screen. Shortly thereafter, he joined forces with TGS Productions and Signature Hardware to start work on a show fully focused on Craig and his team as they manage different home renovation projects around the city.

For the past year, The English Contractor team and customers have grown accustomed to cameras in the office and on the job site. Viewers of the upcoming show will see highlights of residential building projects in Indian Hill, Hyde Park, Sycamore, Oakley, Terrace Park and downtown Cincinnati. “This show captures what we do every day,” explains Russell. “We take pride in our work and are perfectionists, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have fun along the way,” he said.

Viewers can tune in starting Saturday, May 23rd at 7am to catch glimpses of some of their favorite CIncinnati neighborhoods, home renovation ideas, and DIY-instruction, all peppered with Russell’s building expertise and quick wit. Each episode follows some of his favorite projects over the past year. Programming highlights include:

• May 23: A palace fit for the Queen. Craig and the team transform a dark and dreary kitchen into a stunning masterpiece.

• May 30: Mac’s speedy pizza delivery. The clock is ticking as the  team helps transform their local waterhole in record time.

• June 6: If these walls could talk. Hidden home issues have the potential to throw this home renovation off track. Craig and his crew pull out all the stops to finish this project on time.

• June 13: Right at home. Moving isn’t the answer as a homeowner enlists Craig to expand their family home.

• June 20: Backyard bliss. Past customers call in The English Contractor team to transform their backyard into an outdoor oasis.

• June 27: Polishing a diamond in the sky. The team takes their eyes to the skies as they work on a home with a penthouse view.